Features
Focus on Israeli immigrants to Winnipeg: Reimaging manufacturing & supply chains in a post-Covid economy
By JON VAN DER VEEN
To further understand the economic effects of the novel coronavirus and the shutdown, The Jewish Post & News has reached out to several business owners in the community to get their stories. One of those who responded to our invitation to tell us how the pandemic has affected his business is Benjamin Isakov, the CEO and business coach at Congruent Clarity.
Congruent Clarity is a business consultancy firm which provides its clients with professional training and assistance in managing their small to medium sized company and supports the development of strategies to streamline production, reduce waste, emphasize efficiency, and grow. Benjamin Isakov, an Israeli immigrant, has decades of experience working with supply management chains and quality assurance, helping to plan, maintain and source the proper materials for companies engaged in heavy industry, such as Brunswick Steel and Versatile Inc. Now, Benjamin is passing on his knowledge to his many clients at Congruent Clarity through one-on-one, group, and online executive coaching.
I asked Isakov what he perceived to be the most significant issues currently facing businesses as a result of the pandemic-induced shutdown? I noted that many small businesses are now experiencing severe cash flow problems
Isakov responded: “Cash flow is indeed a big problem right now and there is no way around it if you want to keep your old business model working.”
He continued with a real-life situation: “So, I have two clients, and what we did with them to start was to list their skills and capacity that they have in their business in a brainstorm session and see how they could apply the capacity they have into a new reality. For example, some brewers and brewhouses started to produce hand sanitizer solutions. It’s about using the capacity that you already have to produce something that is in high demand in the market.”
Isakov explainined that, in this current economic climate, companies need to adjust their manufacturing base to shift production from luxury goods and non-essential amenities into more utilitarian products which are in higher demand. To further demonstrate this concept, he provided me with an example of one such transition: a local print metal shop started to produce small metal brackets that attach to the bottom of doors, enabling them to be opened by a foot –an inventive measure to help avoid the spread of the novel Coronavirus.
The objective for many local businesses should no longer be maximizing output, but instead, maximizing the efficiency and flexibility of their production. Moreover, as large multi-national corporations have increasingly globalized, they have been able to manufacture their products at cheaper rates and in greater quantities by utilizing long supply chains. These networks begin with mineral resource extraction in Africa where labour costs and standards are low; then, the manufacturing happens in East-Asia where the population has high skill levels but still retains cheap production costs; finally, the goods ship to Western countries, such as the United States and Canada, where generations of great prosperity have created consumption-driven economies.
As a result, in the last couple of decades, it has become futile for small—medium sized businesses to compete in large-scale manufacturing, especially since these huge multi-national conglomerates can afford to operate at a much lower cost and push the ‘little guy’ out. However, these long supply chains also come with several downsides which have been both exposed and exacerbated by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Although bisecting the manufacturing industry with the consumer base has lowered costs for the consumer and increased corporate profits, this process makes global supply chains more vulnerable because there is an increased number of contact points along the chain for interference and failure. For example, when Covid-19 forced many manufactories in China to close, there were cascading effects for suppliers – who were no longer able to source products.
As a result, Isakov favours repatriating some of our manufacturing base. He said, “We need to keep local economies healthy by keeping at least a percentage of production in the country so that in cases like today we have the capacity to ramp up production. So, I would say –if I was in a leadership position– that we need to keep at least fifty percent of quantity for any type of production within the country.”
He gave a very pertinent example: “So, with safety masks – if you don’t have production at home you have nothing to ramp up. If you have such a machine working at thirty percent capacity making 100,000 masks every eight hours you can increase that to meet demand. But if you don’t have the capacity, you are at the mercy of other countries and have to rely upon them.”
Indeed, across Canada, the United States and the European Union, there were widespread shortages of surgical masks at the onset of the pandemic. Moreover, when Canada eventually imported Chinese masks, the Globe and Mail reported that “about one million of the face masks it has purchased from China have failed to meet proper standards for health care professionals and will not be distributed to provinces or cities.”
Although I recognize the downsides of globalized supply chains and shared many of Benjamin’s concerns, I pressed him to explain how Canada could actualize the repatriation of strategic industries?
Benjamin responded: “We can subsidize some of this industry in the country or make tariffs to make outside products more expensive … Businessmen will not do something just because; they need to have an incentive.”
He continued to explain that there are many benefits if you shop locally at small stores, and although this is more expensive, the government can create the conditions to source locally. A healthy local economy will help create more jobs and wealth; Benjamin stated that if you buy from a small retailer, approximately 68 cents recirculate in the community, whereas if you buy from a big domestic retailer, only 43 cents stay.
I suggested to Isakov that consumers must accept short-term increasse in price for the sake of long-term growth.
Benjamin concurred and gave me an uneasy prediction that without more drastic government intervention the fallout of the pandemic will send shockwaves throughout the Canadian economy for the next six-ten months, especially in sectors such as heavy industry, retail, and real estate. Moreover, Canadians are sleepwalking into a more significant crisis if we do not address the fundamental economic issues. There are points of no return, and for many companies that is fast approaching. Small businesses are already operating on slim profit margins, so the government’s response to the crisis by providing relatively low-interest loans is both inadequate, and a short-term fix.
Features
Famous Gambling Scandals and Controversies: Allyspin Casino Opinion
The gambling industry is full of scandals and controversies. There are various cases of fraud and manipulation schemes. That is why it is very important to pay attention to reliable gambling sites like Allyspin online casino, which follows the rules of responsible and safe gambling for its fans. Research shows that more than one trillion dollars are bet worldwide every year. That is why it is very important to be able to distinguish safe and reliable sites from fraudulent ones.
Casino Fraud and Money Laundering
Honest and secure gambling websites like Allyspin casino are careful not to fall victim to scammers. However, many sites are often targets for money laundering and fraud. Due to the large volume of transactions and cash flow, it is difficult to track all the directions of the flow of funds.
Among the largest scandals, the Crown Resorts in Australia stands out. An investigation showed that the casino was used to launder millions. Macau casino networks have also been involved in high-profile scandals. Thus, the region has faced close attention due to allegations of organized crime and laundering billions of dollars through betting. In addition, there are many money laundering cases in Las Vegas casinos.
There are many different methods of money laundering in online casinos. For example, fraudsters use chip dumping, cashing out winnings. Also, structuring is used by entering small amounts that are difficult to track over time.
Gambling Industry Reforms after Scandals
Sites like Allyspin casino do everything possible to prevent such scandals. Thus, the latest security measures and solutions are actively implemented:
Advanced fraud detection based on artificial intelligence. With the help of modern algorithms, monitoring of suspicious behavior when placing bets is simplified.
Strict identity verification protocols. Users need to confirm their identity before being able to withdraw funds.
Secure data using blockchain. Modern online casinos use cryptocurrency payments and blockchain in order to reduce the risks of unauthorized access to transactions.
Responsible gaming programs are also actively implemented. Online casinos offer the option of self-exclusion, as well as provide full support to players. All this allows you to minimize possible risks in the process of gambling and ensure the transparency of payment transactions.
The Future of Casino Security and Fraud Prevention
Large sites like Allyspin casino continue to expand, introducing enhanced security and fraud prevention tools. In the near future, such unique features will be available:
Fraud detection systems based on artificial intelligence and machine learning. Automation of processes helps to detect any fraudulent facts much faster compared to traditional methods.
Blockchain technology and cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency payments help not only simplify payments for users, but also reduce the risks of unauthorized transactions.
Biometric and multi-factor authentication. Thus, users undergo unambiguous identification, which reduces the risk of account use by fraudsters.
Cybersecurity plays an important role in online casino gambling. Modern sites implement the latest mechanisms to combat fraud, ensure fair gaming process and fully protect honest players.
Features
Canada Is Failing Its Students on Holocaust Education — Here’s What Must Change
By EMILY (surname withheld by request) We received the following article from a third-year Health Sciences student at Western University, who wrote that as “a Jewish student, I have seen firsthand how Holocaust education in Canada is falling short and how that failure is contributing to fear, misinformation, and rising antisemitism on campuses like mine.”
Despite curriculum requirements, Holocaust education in Canada is alarmingly inadequate. A recent survey found that nearly one in five young Canadians believe the Holocaust has been exaggerated. This highlights a dangerous gap in historical understanding, leaving students vulnerable to misinformation, denial, and rising antisemitism. If Canada is serious about combating hate, it must take Holocaust education far more seriously.
When asked whether Holocaust education in Canada is lacking, Professor Hernan Tessler-Mabe, historian and coordinator of Jewish Studies at Huron University, did not hesitate: “You are 100 percent correct.”
While most provinces claim to include Holocaust education in their curricula, the programming and implementation of curriculum tends to be inconsistent and inadequate. A student’s understanding of one of history’s greatest atrocities depends heavily on where they go to school, which teacher they have, and whether their school offers substantive instruction. The result is misinformation, denial, and rising antisemitism.
Avoiding Holocaust education allows dangerous myths and conspiracy theories to spread unchecked. Without an understanding of the Holocaust and the centuries of antisemitism that preceded it, students are ill-equipped to identify modern antisemitism in the world around them. This antisemitism manifests into everyday conversation, online spaces, and political discourse.
To address this crisis, Canada must act with urgency in three key areas. These include consulting experts, confronting difficult material, and properly training educators.
First, schools and provincial governments must consult those who specialize in Holocaust history and education. “It is the most important thing,” Dr. Tesler-Mabé, Associate Professor and Coordinator of Jewish Studies at Huron University says. He points out, “You cannot just throw it into a general history class and assume it will be taught well. You need people who understand both the history and how to teach it.”
Second, we must accept that the subject is deeply disturbing and cannot be made comfortable. Dr. Tesler-Mabé iterates, “We have to accept that parts of this will be traumatic or triggering.” “Obviously it depends on grade level, but if students do not feel disturbed by it, they will not understand it. That discomfort is part of the learning.”
Third, teachers must be prepared. Many educators may feel unequipped to teach this material and either gloss over it or skip it altogether. Training programs and partnerships are essential. In Ottawa, the Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship (CHES) works to connect schools with survivor testimonies and support resources, but broader reach and investment are needed.
Dr. Tesler-Mabé explains, “We have to teach the teachers, especially now that we are losing survivors. That raises a whole new concern. How do you teach something this heavy, this complex, without first hand testimony? Educators need the tools, the background, and the sensitivity to do it well.”
Some may argue that Canada already does enough in this area. After all, Holocaust education is present in some curricula, and many students visit Holocaust museums or hear from survivors. But occasional exposure is not enough. The widespread prevalence of Holocaust denial and the proliferation of antisemitic conspiracy theories underscore significant shortcomings in current systems designed to combat such misinformation. A 2022 report by UNESCO and the United Nations, in collaboration with the World Jewish Congress, found that 16.2% of Holocaust-related content on major social media platforms either denied or distorted fundamental facts about the Holocaust. A standardized, rigorous, and mandatory approach is the only way forward.
Holocaust education is not just about history, it is about safeguarding the future and combating antisemitism in modern manifestations. When students understand how propaganda, scapegoating, and dehumanization led to one of history’s darkest chapters, they are better equipped to recognize and reject hatred in all its forms. Without a solid foundation in Holocaust education, antisemitism continues to fester, not just in online spaces, but within universities, workplaces, and public discourse. We are already seeing the consequences of unchecked Holocaust denial and rising antisemitism, from bias in professional spaces to hostility on university campuses. As a Jewish student at Western University, I have seen fear take hold among my peers. Friends who once wore Stars of David or spoke openly about their heritage now hesitate to do so. I have also begun to question whether it is safe to express my identity. With the last generation of Holocaust survivors passing, the responsibility to preserve their stories and the lessons they teach rests with all of us. If we do not confront this crisis at its root, we risk allowing history to repeat itself in new and dangerous ways.
Canada is failing its students. In doing so, it is failing the promise of Never Again. The question is not whether we should strengthen Holocaust education, but why we have not already.
Features
Anna Kaplan one of Winnipeg’s youngest personal trainers
By MYRON LOVE It is always uplifting to read (or, from my perspective, to write) about people who have been able to reinvent themselves – and even more so when such an individual can use her own transformation to inspire others. Such is the case with Anna Kaplan, a young (21) personal trainer whose passion for physical fitness grew out of personal troubles as a teenager.
“I had a feeling of being excluded,” says the daughter of Kevin and Roxanne Kaplan. “I was afraid that I was missing out. I was losing friends. I had developed some bad habits and was at a real low point in my life – at rock bottom.”
At 18, Kaplan determined to change her life. She began working with a personal trainer and going to the gym. She also changed her dietary habits.
“Before long, I was feeling better mentally and physically,” she recalls.
Two years ago, wanting to help others struggling to improve their lives, Kaplan opened A Plus Fitness. On her Facebook page, she notes that “When you sign up for online training with A Plus Fitness, you’re not just getting a workout plan — you’re getting full access to our all-in-one training app designed to support your transformation every step of the way.”
Kaplan started A Plus Fitness strictly as an online business for which she developed her own app. “I started building my client base initially by contacting friends and acquaintances via a social media platform to see what interest there might be out there,” she says.
With demand for her services growing, about a year ago she began working with clients in person out of a gym on Portage Avenue. In just two years, she reports, business has grown to the point where she has had to hire a second trainer.
“I work with people ranging from 18 to 65 plus,” she says. “The number of clients has tripled in the last year and I have been able to help over 100 clients to get into shape and change their lives.”
The reviews have been outstanding with many giving the young fitness trainer a 5 out of 5 rating. Says one client: ”I’ve been training with Anna for a while now, and it’s been an amazing experience! She really takes the time to understand my goals and pushes me in the best way possible. Since working with her, I feel stronger, more motivated, and more confident in my workouts.”
Adds another: “Over the past year, A Plus Fitness has completely transformed my approach to working out, helping me tone my body and build strength in ways I never thought possible. Anna’s guidance and personalized training plans have made a huge difference in my progress, pushing me to achieve results faster than I expected.”
Kaplan feels good that among those she has been able to help have been her own mother, Roxanne Kaplan, who says that ”I’ve always had some sort of fitness routine in my life. I followed along with the fitness videos with the weights that were recommended – I’d go through phases but never stuck to it. With Anna’s coaching and sticking to her program, I see muscle definition that I’ve never had before. I feel better, more confident, and well rested.”
Kaplan further points out that, in additions to helping people through her business, she is also community minded. “I have helped with several fundraising events in the Jewish community,” she reports.
Most recently, she helped raise money for the Reid Bricker Mental Wellness Fund in memory of a relatively young member of our community who struggled with mental health for several years before committing suicide 10 years ago. The fund aims “to increase the availability of mental health supports and education across the province while ensuring that individuals and families facing mental health challenges receive the support they need when they need it the most.”
Next for Anna Kaplan and A Plus Fitness is to open her own location at some point in the next few years.
Readers can contact Anna at 204 391-5832 or mail her at admin@aplusfit.ca.
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